Chiefs Engage 16+ (alternative education provision)

An alternative education programme for young people aged 16-24 in Devon who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), including those not in education, employment or training. Run by the Exeter Chiefs community team from Topsham RFC in partnership with Exeter College, and supported by the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and Wooden Spoon Devon, it combines physical activity and enrichment (team building, paddle boarding, cooking, archery) with functional maths and English, life skills and qualifications including BTEC Level 1/2 Sport and Employability awards. The aim is to help participants progress into further education, training, apprenticeships or employment. Recruitment is year-round (roll on, roll off); the programme page lists a September 2026 start. It follows the end of Premiership Rugby's HITZ provision in Exeter.

Children & young people, NEET / at risk of exclusion, Disabled / SEND

Eligibility is ages 16-24 with an EHCP, so no single age filter band is an exact fit; the 12-16 and 17-25 filters are search bands that overlap that range. High staff-to-pupil ratio with provision tailored to each learner's EHCP, including SEMH needs.

Safeguarding policy in place.

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• Internal monitoring or learning